Cigarette sales, smokers decline (8.1%)

LA Times ^ | July 27, 2010 | Tiffany Hsu

[Drango]

Good job California. Good job.

[Dr. Sivana]

Meanwhile, black market and mail order sales of tobacco products and accessories are way up in California.

[TaMoDee]

True, but NO sales tax to the stupid State government. They are starving for revenue.

[Jack Hydrazine]

They are going to have to jack up the taxes in order to make up for the that loss. Are the FReepers in CA who smoke ready for that?

[KoRn]

Then again, I wonder how many smokers simply ‘left’ CA, either by foot, body bag, or easily purchasing their smokes across state lines/black market.

Statistical noise....

[coop223]

Live in the peoples republic of Kalifornia. quit smoking on my own last september. the tax on cigs was a big reason and was just the push i needed to quit for good.

[KoRn]

I’ve been considering it as a good tax cut for myself as well. Also, it means ‘starving the beast’ in the process. It’s a win-win.

[snowsislander]

The tax board said tax evasion could also be a factor in the sales decline, estimating that more than 200 million packs a year are sold as contraband.

Well, if creating a large number of lawbreakers is the goal, then this can be said to be some sort of "success."

But, in my book, creating large numbers of people who have contempt for our laws is not a hallmark of a successful society.

[Revel]

That is because they switched to smoking Dope.

[Drango]

Are the FReepers in CA who smoke ready for that?

Smoking is predominantly a liberal trait in that they smoke more than conservatives. That said, I've been on many an excellent FReep with FR smokers. Our enemies are liberals, not each other.

[dragnet2]

No one can afford to smoke anymore...

Not only that, one of the big reasons I quit, was to end the punitive taxes I was paying....I've saved a thousand dollars in taxes by quitting.

F' the government and their taxes.

[hinckley buzzard]

Raise taxes enough so smokers use the black market and tax revenues decline. Brilliant.

[668 - Neighbor of the Beast]

What does a pack cost now, $5? Who wants to burn $150 a month and pay more for insurance too?

[ErnBatavia]

Our enemies are liberals, not each other.

....except when you're sitting in your chair being an insulting asshole......kinda like tonight.

[Drango]

Yawnnnnnnn.... You didn’t meet your quota of addicting kids so you vent on me? OK, have at it.

[ErnBatavia]

Raise taxes enough so smokers use the black market and tax revenues decline. Brilliant.

The words "Drango" and "Brilliant" hardly belong on the same thread; check the posting history.

[Just another Joe]

Californians bought 8.1% fewer cigarettes in California in fiscal 2009......

Let's not let the cat out of the bag.
Yes, fewer people smoke now, BUT, fewer smokers buy their cigarettes in California now also.

[AceMineral]

The ideal situation for the states would be for people to buy cigarettes but not smoke them. The states would get tax money now, and they would save money on paying medicaid later on. A win win situation.

[catnipman]

The ideal situation for the states would be for people to buy cigarettes but not smoke them. The states would get tax money now, and they would save money on paying medicaid later on. A win win situation.

Actually, I've read studies that claim, overall, smokers cost the medical system less money than non-smokers because they die much sooner of several fatal diseases that basically can't be treated, such as lung cancer, congestive heart failure, and COPD (emphysema), and therefore not lingering into late age and needing expensive treatments like kidney dialysis, etc.

[esoxmagnum]

Pot = Smoking is good for you, its your RIGHT!!
Evil Tobacco = Smoking is bad for you, its NOT YOUR RIGHT!!